Green-minded (EDITING) ✔

T H I R T Y - S E V E N: Surprise!

I can't believe that I'm being bullied inside my own house. My fiancee, mom, and grandma are belly laughing together after seeing my astounded reaction. I purse my lips as I watch until their cachinnation died down.

"So were you kidding, Grandma?" I ask, still confused if it's real or not.

"No, no, no. You're getting married this weekend. You already said 'yes', you can't take it back, darling."

"I can, really, if I want to." My turn to prank Tony. I snort after checking his facial expression, he's not even affected by what I said, instead, he blows me a kiss. My jaw drops and I smack his arm.

Tony gives a proud smile, "You can't, babe. That's not a valid reason to cancel our engagement. Plus, being wed as soon as possible is helpful for you to keep your promise to Mom."

"What promise?"

"Don't tell me you forgot?" Mom folds her arms over her chest.

"Your chastity promise." Tony answers.

I sigh in relief, "I didn't forget, okay?"

Grandma stands up from her chair, plants her fists onto her hips, then approaches me to slap my shoulder repeatedly, "Oh my, you mean, you didn't do it yet? I told you last night to work on my great-grandchild already!"

"Ouch, Grandma!" I shriek in pain.

"Mom, stop hurting her. It's only right for Ash to maintain her purity." Mom is now serious.

"Don't worry, Grandma. We'll start making your great-grandchild on our wedding night." Tony holds Grandma's shoulders while he stands at her back.

Grandma's face breaks into a wide smile when she turns around, "Okay, fine. I want a baby boy."

"Me too." Mom says.

"Sure, Mom, Grandma." Tony nods. Then they burst in fits of laughter.

I whine, embarrassed, "Stop it already." My face flushes brightly.

*****

After breakfast, Tony and I decided to walk outside. My hand intertwines in his as we relax in the morning sun.

"You're so full of surprises." I say quietly.

He releases my hand then wraps his arm around my waist,  "I'm glad you liked it."

"I didn't say I like it."

"Your eyes say otherwise."

"You're so full of yourself, let me correct myself, Mr. Green." I gawk at him

He guffaws, "I'm not, it's just that I feel what you feel, soon-to-be Mrs. Green."

I smile at the thought--Mrs. Green, yeah.

"God, I can't wait for you to be my wife." Tony tightens his hold on my waist.

I lean my head on his shoulder as we reach the ranch, we watch the horses run around and eat grass, "It's only three days before Saturday, how can we get everything ready by then? Shouldn't we go out now to start the preparations?"

"We will, later. For now, let me enjoy the presence of my fiance." He kisses my hair.

"I will contact Trixie, also my friends at the bar, and... " I was about to say Manager Kim and President Rogers but I felt a sudden hurt about what's happening between us.

"And your dad?" He guesses.

Stunned by his question, I say a blatant "no".

He faces me with his brows knitted together, "Do you want to talk about it?"

I shake my head in disagreement, "I can't. I don't, I mean."

"Look. I understand that it's hard to talk about it but you can always open up with me, okay?" His light blue eyes search mine.

"Yes. Thank you, love."

"Geez. Hearing you say love makes my heart flutter."

I chuckle. "You're cute."

"Thanks, love." His baritone voice is so sexy.

"How about your parents, are they coming?" I ask him.

His expression turns dark and is that rage?, "They're not because they're still locked up."

"What do you mean?"

"They're in jail."

That was unexpected, I was taken aback but I didn't show it on my reaction, "I'm sad to know that."

"Don't be, it's a good thing."

"Sorry?"

He curls his fingers to fists, "They're not normal people, not like other usual parents. When I was a child, they kidnap kids and take them to our house. They torture them. They resort to physical abuse to me and then sexual abuse to the kids. It's very cruel and disgusting. I'm the one taking care of the children at home. One night, they were out, maybe to get another child and that's when I decided to help the kids escape. We got out and I reported them to the police. They got arrested but I don't know how long their sentence are. After that, I stayed at the shelter for the homeless. That's where I became friends with Kelly and Tim."

He doesn't call them parents, only 'they' or 'them'. I can see the hurt in his eyes. It must've been a traumatic childhood experience. I feel for him but mine's incomparable to his pain.

I hug him tight as he cries silently in my arms. I wipe his tears, "You have a new family now--mom, grandma, and me. I promise to stick with you for life, even if you spit me out."

Our eyes are locked, "How can I spit out this pretty face?"

"You may want to date other Hollywood stars. We never can tell." I suck in a breath.

He beams, "I've got a star right here, her twinkle is just blocked by gray clouds at this moment. The clouds are moving slow but it will soon be out and the world will see my star shining brightly in the dark sky again."

That's so touching, "Thank you, love."

"You're doing it again. Butterflies will soon fly out of my mouth."

We laugh together until we hear familiar voices.

"Ash!" Kelly shouts. Wow, news spreads fast. She's aware of my name now.

"Tony!" Greg waves at us.

We wave back. Tony shouts, "You're both late! You should've been there on the breakfast table. Her reaction is priceless when she found out our wedding date."

I roll my eyes, so am I the only one not aware of the plans? "Hello Greg, Kelly!"

"Sorry. We made our last minute preparations, that's why." Greg hugs me and Tony.

Kelly sighs as she hugs us, too, her tone is colored with sarcasm, "Yeah right, she must be ecstatic. All women want to marry Tony Green. Cut the crap! Ash must be irritated because you planned a wedding on your own and to add fuel to the fire, it's just a few days away. Right, Ash?"

"Correct. Glad to have a normal girl with me now." Kelly and I laugh together as we both turn around and walk back to the house.

He and Greg follow us, "Hey Kelly! She liked it!", he shouts, "Love, tell Kelly you liked it in the end."

Greg chuckles.

"No!" I reply. Kelly and I begin to run towards the house.

"Come on, we've got to arrange more things for the big day. We're going to be busy as bees for the next three days." Kelly announces.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Note:

Tony shared his creepy past.

The next chapter is amazing!
Stay tuned.

Love,
Miss*s Happy 💗